University supports push on Brexit terms as Article 50 is triggered

The University will continue to play an active role alongside other British universities in lobbying the Government on the terms of Brexit, following the triggering of Article 50 on Wednesday – the process that formally kickstarts Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Both the Russell Group and Universities UK, of which we are active members, are coordinating efforts to achieve the best possible outcomes for staff, students and the millions of other people who benefit in economic and social terms from the higher education sector.

The Russell Group is currently seeking assurances from ministers over the rights of citizens of other EU member states and has reiterated its commitment to maintaining research ties with partners across Europe. Meanwhile Universities UK is asking the Government to confirm that EU students beginning courses in 2018 will be eligible for home fees status, as well as grants and loans.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janet Beer, said: “While the UK will remain a member of the EU for the next two years and there will therefore be no immediate changes for the sector, I am sure the triggering of Article 50 will heighten the concerns of many of our EU staff and students.

“The issue of Brexit remains high on my agenda and that of our senior team. Over the last few months, together with other universities, we have been lobbying the Government on key issues of concern in relation to Brexit. These include the long-term rights of our EU staff to remain in the UK and our continued ability to attract talented EU students to Liverpool. We also want to ensure we can continue to carry out world-class research with our EU partners and access vital EU research funding.

“Our EU staff and students all help to make Liverpool the success it is today and are a fundamental part of our University community – we will do our utmost to safeguard their future in the UK. Political changes will not dim our commitment to our founding principles and we will continue, in the years to come, to welcome staff and students from the EU and around the world.”

EU nationals who have been residing in the UK continuously and lawfully for the past five years have an automatic right to reside in the UK permanently and, if they have lived here for six years, they are eligible to apply for British citizenship.

Advice for students

The UK’s vote to leave the EU will not have an immediate impact on the immigration status of EU students. The University will continue to charge home fees for current EU students for the duration of their studies as well as those registering in 2017, even if their studies take them beyond the date when the UK exits the EU. The Government has confirmed that these students will also be able to access the national home student loan system for the duration of their degree.

Research

The Treasury has guaranteed to back existing EU-funded research projects even if they continue past the date when the UK exits the EU. This safeguards existing Horizon 2020 grants, and Structural and Investment Fund projects such as the Sensor City ERDF project.